Singapore Island Attractions

Singapore is a city state Island off the coast of Malaysia. It is a multi-cultural financial hub, with an amazingly vibrant and busy city life to discover. One thing you may notice when you arrive in Singapore is how clean their streets are. There’s no rubbish, no chewing gum stuck to the floor and everything is super high tech. There’ll definitely be a wow factor when you start seeing all the attractions they have to offer.

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Latest Reviews & Experiences for Singapore Island Attractions

Not much of a flower fan but there more than just flower viewing at Gardens by the Bay. I went there on multiple occasions such as (free) Movie Screening, (free) Supertree Light Show and Christmas Wonderland 2017. Gardens by the Bay holds different events around the year...

Definitely the best airport for long layovers. It provides services that I haven't find in others airport as free cinemas, free games, free virtual games. For a reasonable fee you can even access to a swimming pool with nice showers.
Over all the airport is big, clean and...

This is one of the best zoo experience I had worldwide. It is one of the few zoo that is open at night. The night time experience feels a lot more intimate and natural. The animal seems a bit more relaxed at night. Overall a great experience.

Singapore public transport is easy to navigate, efficient and very clean. You can easily get around Singapore by using MRT trains and public buses.

Trains – The SMRT (Singapore Mass Rapid Transport) manages the trains and and stops conveniently at most top attractions. There are numerous interchanges between the lines and clearly labelled signs at stations make it easy for travellers to navigate. Train ticket price ranges depending on the length of trip. You can check the trains map on their official site.

Busses – Singapore has two Bus companies (SMRT buses and Singapore Bus Service). The respective websites have detailed fare and routing information so you can plan your travel. The bus network is comprehensive and the bus fares are slightly lower than the train fares.

If you are planning to be in Singapore for longer than a stopover or a short break, it is worth to consider value EZ-link card or Singapore Tourist Pass for public transportation.

Travel Passes – Ez-link Card is used to pay for transport fares on buses, MRT (metro) as well as taxis, and other private transport means. It is also helpful when you need to buy foods and drinks from food & beverage stores, and vending machines.

If you plan to travel a lot while being in Singapore, then Singapore Tourist Pass might be the cost-effective option. There are 3 types of passes: 1 day pass, 2 day pass and 3 day pass, with costs at SGD10, SGD16, and SGD20 respectively. They allow you to have unlimited rides on buses and trains (MRT and LRT).

Both cards are available for purchase at most MRT stations, bus interchanges, 7-Eleven stores and few other outlets.

How far is Changi Airport from Singapore city?

Airport taxi is the fastest and the most expensive transport option to travel from Changi airport to the city. Traffic permitting, it takes approximately 20 minutes from the airport to the Singapore City Hall. You can find taxi stands in the arrival areas of each airport terminal. Services are available 24/7 and all taxis have meters. Please be aware that there are some surcharges that must be covered by the passengers (late night (00:00 – 05.59) surcharge is 50% of the fare, peak hours surcharge is 25% of the metered fare and Electronic road pricing (ERP) tolls must be reimbursed by the passenger and will be added to your receipt).

If you are traveling light, check out the Changi Airport Shuttle. It is a convenient and yet inexpensive way of traveling from and to Changi Airport. The Airport Shuttle Service is a shared van that takes you to any hotel in central Singapore for a fixed price of S$9 per adult and $6 for children 12 or under. The airport shuttle operates 24/7 and leaves approximately every 30 minutes or when it fills up. There is an Airport Shuttle Service information counter in the arrival hall of each terminal.

Another available option is subway- SMRT trains. The trip from the airport to the City Hall takes about 30 minutes. Please note that trains do not operate overnight. At Changi airport, you can find the MRT station at the basement of Terminal 2. No matter what terminal (1, 2, or 3) you arrive at, just follow the signs “Train to the City” to get there. Approximate travel time from Changi airport to Singapore City Hall station is 35 minutes.

Public busses (36/36A) are the slowest airport travel option, but they offer very affordable fares — about S$2 depending on the distance. Public buses to/from the airport operate only from 6am to 11:50pm local time every 8 to 12 minutes. The Bus 36/36A starts its journey at the basement of Changi airport terminals 1, 2, and 3 and has many stops, including Marine Parade Rd, Somerset Rd, and Orchard Rd. The travel time to the final stop without any traffic is approximately 1.5 hours.

If you dont want the hassle of figuring out the transport upon arrival, you can opt for private transfer options where a driver will personally deliver you from Changi Airport to the doorsteps of your chosen hotel.

Is there a Hop on Hop off bus in Singapore?

There are some great Hop-on Hop-off tour options available in Singapore. It is an inexpensive, flexible, and convenient way to get around and explore all the best landmarks. Some popular operators are Duck & Hippo and FunVee City Hopper. Choose your tour by the selected sights you wish to see in Singapore, pick up location, frequency of busses and the price. Tickets are available online and locally on the spot.

What Singapore Attractions can you see on long Airport Stopovers?

If you are just passing through and want to see some of the famous Singapore’s sights during your long airport stopover, check free guided tours offered by Changi airport. Please be advised that to be able to use a free guided tour, you must be a transit passenger of Changi Airport, have layover period of at least 5.5 hours (less than 24 hours), and your flight schedule must fit in with the tour timing requirements. If you are eligible for this tour, you will join a group of people (this is not private tour). The Heritage Tour runs 4 times daily and the City Sights Tour runs 2 times daily.

In short, depending on how much time you have for sightseeing, you can choose from many half-day tours or even full-day tours covering most famous landmarks in Singapore.

When is the Best time to visit Singapore?

Singapore is a great place to visit all year round and with average temperatures of 26 to 27 °C, leisure and business travellers fill the city throughout the year.

Singapore is particularly busy from November to January as well as during the months of February, June and July. During these months, there are many festivals, events and celebrations, such as Chinese New Year celebrations or Great Singapore Sale, so you should book in advance and expect higher accommodation rates. There is more rain in winter months (between November and January) and you should expect heat and humidity all year round.

As South Monsoon weather brings more heat to the city, you will find less crowds from August to October months, except the middle of September when Singapore hosts world famous Singapore Grand Prix.

What’s the Weather like in Singapore?

The tropical weather in Singapore is hot and humid throughout the year. The amount of rain varies from month to month, but there is very little fluctuations in temperature.

The year has two monsoon seasons: the southwest monsoon season runs from June to September and the northeast monsoon season goes from December through to March. The monsoons bring more rain, but it does not stop the flow of leisure and business travellers arriving to explore Singapore’s culture, history, shopping and food experiences.

What happens in Singapore on New Year’s Eve?

New Year’s Eve is widely celebrated in Singapore and you have numerous choices of clubs, roof top bars, hotels and a massive public event to party your way into the New Year in style. Many popular party spots are along Orchard Road, Boat Quay and Clarke Quay.

The Marina Bay Singapore Countdown is one of the most popular locations for New Years Eve celebrations attracting more than 300,000 visitors each year. This free event extends all the way from the Waterfront Promenade to the Esplanade and The Float. The grand fireworks display with various supporting activities such as giant carnival, art markets and a visual projection showcase makes it a popular choice for visitors and locals. To catch the show, head the Marina Bay waterfront or check for tickets to secure a seat for your picnic and fireworks viewing at The Float @ Marina Bay (tickets cost around $8). You can also find a good spot to view fireworks from Marina Barrage or Mount Faber.

Siloso Beach Party in Sentosa headlined by international and local DJs is another popular option for New Year’s celebration.

January- April: Chinese New Year is one of the most anticipated celebrations in Singapore. The festival begins on the first day of the first lunar month in the Chinese calendar, which usually falls between the last week of January and early February. Fantastic fireworks, parades (Chingay Parade), and traditional Chinese cultural performances (a vibrant River Hongbao festival) take place around Singapore city.

Singapore Fringe Festival is the annual event held at the end of January. This is a great event to experience theatre, performing arts, film, dance, visual art, mixed media, music and forum, created and presented by both Singaporean and international artists.

The Hindu festival (Thaipusam) is also held in either January or February each year. During two-day festival devotees seek blessings and fulfil vows in the amazing spectacle between Sri Srinivasa Perumal and Layan Sithi Vinayagar Temples.

May- August: Vesak Day, the full moon day of the fourth lunar month (May), is the most important annual event for the Buddhist community in Singapore. Vesak Day commemorates the birth, enlightenment and final nirvana of the Buddha. Some of the highlights include vegetarian food fair, public talks and hymn singing.

Muslims in Singapore observe a holy month known as Ramadan (between May and June). During this time, visit Kampong Glam and Geylang Serai for night markets that sell special sweets and savouries

One of the most popular annual events held in June is The Great Singapore Sale. This time is perfect for shopping because retailers provide discounts of up to 70% off the usual prices in Singapore.

Dragon Boat Festival, normally held in June (on the fifth day of the fifth month of the traditional Chinese lunar calendar) features dragon boat races by both local and international rowers. The festival is also known as ‘The Dumpling Festival’ for its amazing traditional rice dumplings.

Singapore Heritage Festival in July celebrates various cultures in Singapore and their traditions, food, costumes, music and arts. There are annual exhibitions, heritage tours, culinary events and cultural performances.

Held annually in July, Singapore Food Festival is a celebration of local food. Festival highlights include, food carnivals and various workshops.

Singapore’s National Day with the National Day Parade in August is a commemoration of Singapore’s Independence. This annually attracts close to 25,000 spectators every year. Held at the Marina Bay, the celebrations include pre-parade light-hearted filler events, followed by the actual parade and ceremonies including the popular Presidential Gun Salute and culminates into a Grand Finale, followed by an impressive fireworks display.

Christmas is celebrated in Singapore with plenty of shopping and eating, with festivities available throughout the month of December. Each year, Singapore ends in New Year’s Eve celebrations with amazing firework displays at Marina Bay.

Where are the Best Areas to Stay in Singapore for Tourists?

Choose your hotel in one of the main central areas towards the south of island according to your budget and make sure that you are close to public transport for easy access across the city.

Marina Bay, Clarke Quay, Chinatown, Little India and Kampong Glam are all popular places for accommodation and each of these places have they own atmosphere. For money conscious travellers it is worth checking in and around Little India (up to Lavender Street) and Chinatown areas. Marina Bay and Orchard Road offer much more upmarket 4 star and 5 star accommodation options.

Hotels are higher priced, but perfect for travellers wanting to stay right in the middle of the shopping area. You will have shopping right at your door, but be aware that this area can get crowded, especially during weekends, and has a limited nightlife.

Marina Bay

This area is beautiful and well located. The area has a modern feel and is close to major attractions such as Singapore Flyer and Gardens by the Bay. There are many upper end restaurants and bars, but very limited options for budget accommodation. Staying in Marina Bay area is a popular option for travellers with limited time and generous budget.

A cosmopolitan area with extensive nightlife options. It is centrally located with good MRT connections and has many bars, restaurants and a variety of accommodation options for different budgets. You might want to stay away if you are looking for peace and quiet.

This area has an authentic India vibe and is well connected by two MRT stops (15 minutes to the city centre). You can choose from many mid-range and budget accommodation options. It is especially great for backpackers and travellers on a budget.

These areas are also good choices for backpackers and money conscious travellers. It is further from the centre (around 25 minutes drive), but if this is acceptable you can enjoy good nightlife, shopping and markets in this area.

Other islands and places that can be visited from Singapore include Batam island (Indonesia’s eighth largest city just an hour’s ferry ride away from Singapore). Melaka (or Malacca) was one of Southeast Asia’s most important trading ports. The journey to get there by bus takes about 3.5 hours and the main attractions include well-preserved colonial architecture. Johor Bahru, Malaysia’s second largest city, is also located on the southern Malay Peninsula.

One of the romantic (and free) activities is strolling hand-in-hand through the beautiful Gardens by the Bay and magnificent Supertree Grove. You can go either during the day or night. Night is the better option to avoid the constant humidity, and you’ll also have the opportunity to see the Supertrees light up.

Night Safari is another wonderful attraction for any couple visiting Singapore. Just imagine watching wild animals species illuminated by the moonlight with your loved one. There’s also the option to enjoy a romantic dinner before seeing the animals at night

Another great and very romantic experience for couples is dining in the private cabin on the Singapore Cable Car, whilst enjoying stunning views of the city. You’ll have a fantastic birds eye view of Singapore lit up.

Are there any Shore Excursions for Travellers on Cruises?

There are plenty of shore excusions available in Singapore for travellers stepping off their cruise ships. These shore excursions include must see attractions and are perfect choice for a relaxing day out.

Enjoy the day at one of the top zoos in Asia and see animals from all over the world. You’ll be picked up directly from the cruise port and dropped off at the end of the day.

What Singapore Attractions can you see on a Budget?

Do not worry if you have limited budget for your sightseeing in Singapore. Check this list of free attractions in Singapore. The public transport in Singapore is inexpensive, convenient and easy to navigate, so you will have no trouble to reach and explore many must see attractions independently. Singapore Hop-on Hop-off tours have very reasonable prices too, so this is another good option for backpackers and travellers with a limited budget.

Here’s a bonus! Some travellers prefer to do their own photography without paying for a tour. A favourite spot to get the best Singapore skyline night shot would have to be in the Singapore Flyer. Check out this view!

This is the most popular local dive site where you can find an abundance of macro life and even sharks or turtles. Ease of access makes this a great local option, but it can be very busy on weekends and during public holidays.

Kusu Island (Turtle island) is another popular spot among locals. The shallow reefs has dense anemone fish populations and rich marine life. Pulau Jong – a tiny, unspoiled island with a healthy fringing reef can surprise you with blue-spotted rays and reef sharks.

Another interesting option is to explore Singapore wreck dives. You’ll find the famous Sudong Wreck and the Sisters Wreck (also known as MV Iran Sarai).

Also popular for Singapore divers is Pulau Aur, although it is actually part of Malaysia’s Johor Marine Park, northeast of Singapore. This popular city getaway spot can be very busy with visitors on the weekends and holidays.

Segway is an awesome way to explore the city and surroundings. You can rent your segway from Marina Bay Segway Hire in Singapore (all the necessary equipment, local tips and a local guide are included in the package). Pickup for tours is from a centrally located meeting point and the exact location will be confirmed with your reservation.

If you are well-seasoned hiker, head to the Southern Ridges for a very photogenic ten-kilometres-long network of trails.

At the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve you can find a 500-metre-long boardwalk of the mangrove swamp, which will bring you very close to Singapore’s wildlife. Here you can join free guided walks held at 9.30am on Saturdays.

Self-guided audio tours are available in Singapore. Even if you are on a very tight budget and short on time during your stay in Singapore, you can squeeze in this downloadable and self-guided tour in your itinerary. Self-guided tours normally last 1 to 3 hours and there is no set start time or strict timing for the tour.

What are the best walking tours in Singapore?

The best walking tours in Singapore are very engaging and combine many interesting aspects of Singapore’s life, including culture, history, architecture, food, and local lifestyle.

The food walking tour will cover all the local flavours from the colourful ethnic diversity of Singapore. Many charming markets and areas such as Little India or Chinatown are best to be enjoyed on foot.

Authentic local lifestyle walking tours are more unconventional but highly rated choice, as they combine alluring up-close view of everyday life and cultural experience in Singapore.

Undoubtedly, the most popular theme park and a must see attraction in Singapore is Universal Studios Singapore. This Hollywood theme park is packed with thrilling rides, live shows and attractions for all ages.

To add more experiences that are both interactive and fun, visit high-tech interactive entertainment zone in Sentosa 4D AdventureLand.

What language to people in Singapore speak?

Fortunately, most locals understand and speak English quite fluently so you should have no issues communicating if you know English yourself. The other official languages are Mandarin, Malay and Tamil.